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Emotional Branding

Emotional Branding – By Marc Gobé

This book is more like a textbook. It comes from a person who has been working in Branding business for years and has observed the changes in the industry. He is in the emotional aspect of the product. How a brand engages consumers on the level of the emotions. He explains that branding is about mind and emotion share not market share. He explains the “10 Commandments of Branding” (everyone in business needs to read this).

He also keeps his brand active on Twitter and Facebook in a way that is not totally self-serving. This just reinforces what he teaching about branding in his book. The book is divided into sections which cover the four pillars for Emotional Branding: relationship, sensorial experiences, imagination and vision. He covers the customers up to Y generation. If you are going after Teens and Tweens, then you won’t find much on that in this section. He devotes time to the different races, gay and lesbian consumers as well as the women’s market. He covers how to use shape, touch and sound in your store. Emotions sway everyone’s buying power, so why not put it to use for your business? He discusses packaging and ends the book with some great ideas on what to do with your website.

You won’t fly through this book; however, you will have specific ideas on how to improve your customer’s experience. And if you are smart, you will execute them. This book is a California 8!

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Manifesting Change Author: Mike Dooley

Whether you are new to Metaphysics and the Law of Attraction or have been a master of your destiny for a long time, Mike Dooley provides the guidance we all need at many times in our manifesting development.

I am especially a fan of Dooley’s Manifesting Change audio book. While listening to Dooley himself read, the listener gets all of the emotion and motivation intended by the author. Unlike many audio books read by their author, Dooley has a voice that carries the emotion and power you would expect when having a live conversation with him. He conveys the excitement and amazement with each example he provides from the last 25 years of manifesting change in his own life.

Dooley explains things in a way so even the neophyte can understand the Law of Attraction and Manifesting Change. Believing is only the beginning. When you absolutely believe in the power we all possess, you will naturally move in the direction in which you need to make things happen.

Dooley further defines the “wicked hows”, first discussed in Infinite Possibilities. For those that are confused by the wicked hows, Dooley includes The Matrix and detailed instructions. See the flow of intent and visualizations and learn quickly what is the most effective way to partner with The Universe. Learn of the specific behavior needed to see your future, without delving in the behaviors that inhibit or get in the way of the needed change. Dooley explains general expectations leave the “hows” to the Universe. Once you move to the deeper specifics of your end results, you often move away from yourself and delegate your power to others. Best described when speaking of love or employment, it is easy to understand that love manifested is easy. Love manifested with a specific individual removes your universal power and hands it to another person. The simple instructions guide even the most novice of metaphysicians through the simple steps and behaviors needed for each of us to achieve to have, be or do, taking each of us to our most desired end result. All of this, and the occasional, and so familiar “Notes from the Universe”.

The author uses personal experiences to demonstrate how he has sometimes overextended or given away his own power. Dooley ties materialism, fairness, universal limitations, abundance and free-will into the picture. There are no more boundaries in abundance any more than you can say that there are restrictions on the amount of your happiness. When one understands inconsistencies in time and space, we better recognize the illusions of what we have identified as truth and fact.

I have read Manifesting Change many times over the last three months and I expect that it will be reread over many years, many times.

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Traditional Vs Online Book Clubs (And Some Reasons Why You Should Join at Least One)

A set of readers who join the regular discussion of book is called a reading group, also referred to as a book club. Or the term could also be described as a place to purchase a book. Traditionally, it is composed of several people who meet each month to talk about what they have read. In modern times, this club has become a website for members to appear online. Whichever you choose between the two definitions of the term, you’ll find a nice set of advantages with each.

In traditional group, members have the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with all the members whom they meet regularly, usually in a room, where they could discuss the things they have read or anything that is related to their love of books. The problem is, it is rather hard to manage a group that meets regularly due to people’s usually busy schedules. Sometimes, there is also a problem with finding a regular venue for the meetings but most of the time, members who are not very dedicated to the club are the main issue that makes managing a traditional book club often difficult.

On the other hand, an online club presents or offers numerous advantages over a traditional one. With the efficiency of the web and the great number of these clubs, a reader who turns to the web to find good books enjoys a wider selection of must-reads. However, with everything available on the Internet, the opportunity to develop personal relationships with fellow book lovers is simply impossible with this modern type of club. Although it is possible to make friends with other members online, there still so much in actually meeting people and being able to have book discussion with them personally that simply cannot happen online.

If you’re now considering any book club plans, be it to join Doubleday Book Club or the Literary Guild or whatever group you’ve been eying, it is best to enjoy the experiences you have and the knowledge you gain during each discussion in your reading group.

Generally, the first consideration for people to decide to join a club are the discounted book prices and convenience comes next. Fortunately, book lovers find it easy now to avail of books they love to read without spending too much. Most can read up to eight or more books a month. Somehow, books have simply become so expensive. Clubs offer members the same exact books by the same bestselling authors for a fraction of the bookstore price.

Book clubs are able to sell cheaper prices of books to their members because they buy directly form the publishers. Aside from the benefits that you can get form cheaper priced books, these clubs also make sure you’re updated on new releases or for any news regarding a book or author that you are reading. With this, you’ll have more knowledge about books and you’ll be in a better decision to decide which books you want to buy and which can wait.

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Charles Dickens' History

The renowned writer Charles Dickens was a very meticulous chooser of his character’s names. He was a guru at choosing names, which would give the readers an idea of what kind of person the character was. You would know about Pecksniff, and Fagin if you read some his books.

Take a random person in the streets and ask him a simple question about his favorite sounding names. You will hear all sorts of fancy words but these will often not feature a K or G sound. You can argue that most of the K & G sounds do not have a glamorous and classy sound to them. The same applies with how Charles Dickens chose names for the people featuring in his books. The people like PumbleCHook or the more conspicuous Fagin were villainous characters. The same works for Montague Tigg and Quilp and Bill Sikes.

For the person in the luxury, beauty and romance sector, it stops being a storybook. There is no forgiveness when your brand has those harsh sounds like G and K.

Charles Dickens was a believer of this theory but something else too. Some names give the listener a reminder about some other word or scenario. This is why some Dickensian names worked well. For that, thinking Mr. Pickwick’s name does not mean he is a villain. He is instead a loved character.

The expression that flickers in our mind when Dickens named a character Gradgrind is nose to the grindstone. Not the softy character at all. Pecksniff is another perfect example. Put the words peck and sniff together and see a character who has inconsequential traits. Headmaster Wackford gives the sound Whack.

During the 19th century, the word screw was commonly used to mean miser. It is the right fit for Scrooge.

Analyzing other names in the series, for example Tom Pinch, Little Nell and Pip Pirrip shows that they were good-natured characters. They have the e, I alongside the o in common.

Writers therefore observe this simple trend regarding a character’s name. Villains will have certain sounds while nice guys will have others. Simply put, the reader or the person on the receiving end should be assisted to see through a character by his name. Brand names need to do that too since they deal with customers.

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Great Dystopian Novels - The 12 Best Dystopian Novels

Literature has been a defining part of culture since the beginning of language. The dangers of modern times have led to the writing of dystopian novels, novels which warn of an unhappy future. Many people think of Dystopian novels as purely science fiction-while science fiction is a natural fit for a dystopian story, not all dystopian books are considered science fiction. Without further delay, here are the 12 best dystopian novels.

#12 Lord of the Flies by William Golding (1954)

This novel isn’t the 12th best on the list (it would be rated much higher in my opinion) but it’s at number twelve because of the on going argument whether this is truly a dystopian novel or not. The definition of dystopia isn’t necessarily clear, though the general definition is that it is a society in which misery and negative conditions prevail (or a seeming utopia gained at horrifying costs.)

As far as a dysfunctional society, the island with its stranded little boys is it, and once the conch shell is no longer seen as authority, everything breaks apart. If anyone wants to argue that an anarchy could work, this book would be an immediate argument against it. This is an incredible psychological work, and I’d say their society is definitely dysfunctional enough to count as a dystopia.

#11 The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)

This story comes from the first person Offred. Offred is a maid in a time when fertile women are forced to be breeding machines to keep the human population going. This takes place because the world is a post-nuclear world where many women can’t have children. This is a very theocratic society, and this book tends to be very pro-feminist and anti-religious, which causes it to often be protested. This is a great dystopian tale that is frightening because the logic of how the society became the way it is happens to be very believable.

#10 Neuromancer by William Gibson (1984)

Most of William Gibson’s novels revolve around a dystopian future society, but Neuromancer may be the best of them all. This novel won the sci-fi “triple crown” for writers by winning the Nebula, Hugo, and Philip K. Dick awards. In the seedy underground of a Japanese city, a computer hacker is hired to work on the ultimate hack. In a world flushed with AI, virtual reality, genetic engineering, and corporations overpowering nations, the adventure follows. Gibson beat many modern sci-fi writers to the punch, and this dystopian novel is one of the most influential in modern times.

#9 Iron Heel by Jack London (1908)

Iron Heel is an excellent dystopian novel about the rise of a tyrannical corporate oligarchy in the United States. This book doesn’t pay attention to technology the way most future dystopian science fiction novels do now. This work stressed changes in society and politics, with the oligarchy formed by robber barons whom bankrupt all the middle class and seize power before enforcing a “caste system” of workers. This was a fantastic dystopian novel that was far ahead of its time.

#8 The Running Man by Richard Bachman (1982)

Written by Stephen King under the penname of Richard Bachman, “The Running Man” is a fantastic dystopian novel about a frightening future where ratings and entertainment takes form in a man hunt, and where even the “winners” are losers. This novel is far superior to the movie, and in my opinion is one of the best novels written by Stephen King. “The Long Walk” is also an honorable mention.

#7 Armageddon’s Children by Terry Brooks (2006)

I’ve probably read over 200 books the last two years, and among many good novels, “Armageddon’s Children” has been one of my favorites. This is one of the best novels written by Terry Brooks, and takes place in a post apocalyptic world around 2100, following (among others) a lone remaining knight trying desperately to fight off the demon onslaught and a group of street gang kids who roam the remains of Seattle trying to survive. The fantasy world of Shannara was supposedly spawned from the post apocalyptic wastes of Earth, and this series bridges the gap between the two.

#6 The Chrysalids by John Wyndham (1955)

This dystopian novel is another example of a post-nuclear world. This time the dystopia comes from a “need” for purity. As humans are being born with increasing levels of mutations and deformities, the state decides to execute anyone who isn’t “perfect,” meaning even one extra toe can be a death sentence. This attempt at forcing perfection in a post apocalyptic world is disturbing and effective, and has spawned many imitators.

#5 The Children of Men by PD James (1992)

Most people will know about the film with Richard Gere and Julianne Moore. The movie was very good, but is far different from the book. In this world, for reasons unknown, all men’s sperm count plummeted to zero, and without reason or explanation, mankind now faces its own extinction. The fear mongering during this time has allowed governments extraordinary powers to keep the peace, and when a woman becomes pregnant, the implications are enormous.

#4 The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (1895)

“The Time Machine” is one of the best science fiction novels to ever be written. This novel is the story of “The Time Traveler” who builds a machine that allows him to travel to the far distant future. While this might not seem dystopian at first glance, but a seemingly gentle and happy society is plagued by predators who harvest people for food…if that doesn’t qualify as a crappy dystopian society, I don’t know what does. The hero tells his story to a man of his time, grabs weapons, and goes back into the future never to return. This novel is where the term “time machine” even came from.

#3 1984 by George Orwell (1949)

This isn’t the best written novel, but it is one of the big three of the dystopian science fiction novels. This could very well be the most recognizable of the big three, as “1984″ is synonymous with tyrannical governments, fascism, and dystopian science fiction. Even the phrases “1984″ and “Big Brother” are now part of the common culture. Orwell’s detailed novel shows how a government can manipulate the people by manipulating the truth and manipulating the news. This book is the source for arguing against a far right government getting unfettered power.

#2 Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953)

Guy Montag begins this classic novel as a fireman: meaning he is a man society calls on to burn all books, which are outlawed. Unlike “1984″ or “Brave New World,” “451″ doesn’t speak politically against the left or the right politically, but speaks against the dumbing down of society, specifically on how Hollywood pop culture slush and TV entertainment can create an entire nation of people who are not only incapable of fighting for their rights, but who don’t even realize the importance of doing so. This is a brilliant novel that shows Guy going from soldier of the state to an independent free thinker who must go on the run to survive.

#1 Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)

While this dystopian masterpiece and “Fahrenheit 451″ could be interchangeable as the top two, “Brave New World” gets the nod because the writing itself is the best. This novel is incredible, showing a society where left leaning thinking and self hedonism is taken so far to the extreme that one person’s utopia turns out to be an appalling place where the irony of a peaceful existence has caused society to lose all concept of art, honor, religious beliefs, or anything that often defines culture. The “utopia” has people who have no sympathy, no empathy, and this vision of a future is as chilling as any other on this list.

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Professional Blackjack by Stanford Wong

This is currently the best blackjack book for learning how to play blackjack in my opinion. Even though it was originally written in the 1970′s this is the one book that I always take with me on all of my gambling trips. It contains a basic strategy for single and multiple decks. There is, also, a powerful simple plus and minus strategy for card counting for single and multiple decks with differences for the dealer hitting soft 17 and standing on soft 17.

If you seriously want to win at blackjack this is the one book that is a must have. Once you become a proficient card counter you will have to know how to win with out being asked not to play. Wong devotes a chapter on how to win with out being kicked out. There is an excellent chapter that explains your long term risk and ruin and how much money you need to back you depending on how much you like to bet.

Over betting is, probably, one of the main things that a lot of players do that causes them to lose their bankroll. Wong explains this in great detail.

I have seen other posts say that you can bet 2 to 3% of your bankroll and you will make a lot of money fast. In realty betting 1% will lesson your chances of going broke. You may not win as fast if luck is with you but will you will still be in the game if your luck heads south for awhile.

Do get this book if you are serious about winning.

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The New Abs Diet: The Six-Week Plan To Flatten Your Stomach And Keep You Lean For Life

“The New Abs Diet: The Six-Week Plan to Flatten Your Stomach and Keep You Lean for Life” by David Zinczenko, Editor-In-Chief of “Men’s Health” is a good basic book on diet and exercise that was written with Ted Spiker. The book was a New York Times Bestseller and does provide a simple plan for losing fat and flattening your stomach. There is nothing real earth shattering for those that are well read on nutrition and exercise, and in fact, many well read in this area may find this book to simple and will seek more advanced sources of information. This book really is for the person who is overweight, doesn’t know what to eat and lives on fast food and junk food, and who doesn’t exercise at all.

It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the book, or that I didn’t find it useful. For those who are really out of shape and don’t know how to eat or exercise, this guide may be just the book to get them started on the road of being in shape and looking good. For the athlete or fitness buff, not much new here, and rather simple.

The book starts with an introduction that is motivational and lets you know if you follow the diet and exercise plan in this book you will find your long lost abs. The author discusses a few of the popular diets that have sold many books and describes what he feels is wrong with them and why this diet is better. (I happen to agree with much of his reasoning)

The diet itself is based around what the author calls the “power 12.” These are more 12 categories than only 12 foods. They are: almonds and other nuts, beans and pulses, spinach and other green vegetables, dairy (skimmed milk, fat-free or low fat yogurt and cheese), instant hot oat cereal, eggs, turkey and other lean meats, peanut butter, olive oil, wholegrain breads and cereals, extra protein (whey) powder, and raspberries and other berries. Overall, a very good list of categories to eat from, and that is what Zinczenko encourages. Eating primarily from this list is what the diet is about, but please do read the book and get the why and how much behind the categories. Zinczenko, however, also allows you to eat other stuff. In fact, one good thing about this diet is it is not super strict or something that will be difficult to follow. (Well, any diet will be difficult if you are used to eating only junk and fast foods.)

The book provides menus and recipes to help you eat from the power 12. The book then includes the other important ingredient to find those lost abs. You must exercise, and not just aerobic exercise, but muscle building exercise. Zinczenko explains why, and provides a very basic and simple program to follow. Again, not much for the person who actively exercises, but for the couch potato, this program is a good basic place to start.

The book concludes with a section that explains and illustrates 56 different ab exercises. They are in five categories for you to mix them up and keep your ab workouts varied. I do believe if you follow the guidelines in this book, both eating and exercising, you will lose weight and start to see your abs. How long it will take will depend on your starting point and how faithful you are and how much you put into your exercises. For a basic book on eating healthy and exercising to lose weight, this is a good book.

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Review of "In the Shadow of the Glacier"

In the Shadow of the Glacier by Vicki Delany is somewhat like a marshmallow. It’s easy and fun to ingest the characters-they’re sweet and quite believable. When you’re through, it leaves you wanting more.

Set in a small mountain town in British Columbia it tells a story which includes many elements known to make a good mystery. There’s the murder of a rather flamboyant newcomer, a string of bicycle thefts, two main characters who are hiding major secrets from us and each other (those unfortunately were not explained very well) and various problems for several of the more prominent couples.

The mystery revolves around an American draft dodger who settled in the bucolic mythical berg of Trafalgar and left land and money to the area with a caveat: it must be used to create a garden honoring draft dodgers and their quest for peace.

This sets the normally tolerant residents to taking very explosives different views on the matter. The main opponent of the garden, the flamboyant newcomer is found bludgeoned to death in an alley.

The hunt for the killer is on by another newcomer, big city Detective John Winters and his very green assistant Constable Moonlight (she prefers Molly) Smith. Throughout the investigation, they are also trying to figure out the reason behind a rash of mountain bike thefts. Are these related?

Egging the duo and the community on is a very irritating muck-raking TV “journalist” Rich Ashcroft who has enlisted the naïve local reporter Meredith Morgenstern.

To find out the rest, I highly suggest getting a copy of In the Shadow of the Glacier by Vicki Delaney. Coming in at a bit over 300 pages, I was so entertained that I read the book almost non-stop in one afternoon. It went by as quickly as eating the aforementioned marshmallow.

by Vicki Delany is somewhat like a marshmallow. It’s easy and fun to ingest the characters-they’re sweet and quite believable. When you’re through, it leaves you wanting more.

Set in a small mountain town in British Columbia it tells a story which includes many elements known to make a good mystery. There’s the murder of a rather flamboyant newcomer, a string of bicycle thefts, two main characters who are hiding major secrets from us and each other (those unfortunately were not explained very well) and various problems for several of the more prominent couples.

The mystery revolves around an American draft dodger who settled in the bucolic mythical berg of Trafalgar and left land and money to the area with a caveat: it must be used to create a garden honoring draft dodgers and their quest for peace.

This sets the normally tolerant residents to taking very explosives different views on the matter. The main opponent of the garden, the flamboyant newcomer is found bludgeoned to death in an alley.

The hunt for the killer is on by another newcomer, big city Detective John Winters and his very green assistant Constable Moonlight (she prefers Molly) Smith. Throughout the investigation, they are also trying to figure out the reason behind a rash of mountain bike thefts. Are these related?

Egging the duo and the community on is a very irritating muck-raking TV “journalist” Rich Ashcroft who has enlisted the naïve local reporter Meredith Morgenstern.

To find out the rest, I highly suggest getting a copy of In the Shadow of the Glacier by Vicki Delaney. Coming in at a bit over 300 pages, I was so entertained that I read the book almost non-stop in one afternoon. It went by as quickly as eating the aforementioned marshmallow.

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Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke

My son likes knights, castles, and battles. My daughter likes animals, both anthropomorphic and not. Both of my kids like stories of children about their age or a little older, and both of my kids like magic and fantasy. I’m particularly fond of stories that come on audio discs that I can play in the car. Stories that grab the children’s attention so I don’t hear “how far is it now?” and “she touched me” rate even higher. So, with the above criteria, I chose Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke for a few car trips.

Igraine was a hit.

Both children sounded of “Story!” upon entering the car, instead of the traditional “I’m hungry.”

What’s the story about?

Igraine is a girl. When the story starts off, she is eleven, but her birthday is a couple of days off. Igraine wants to grow up and be a famous knight. She loves swordplay, stories of knights and chivalry, armor, and admiring knightly weapons. Igraine thinks magic is boring and tedious to memorize.

Igraine’s family is magical. Mom is a beautiful sorceress and dad is a wizard. Her brother, who is a few years older, is in training to be a magician. Igraine has a talking cat. She snuck some red, magic powder from her brother and sprinkled it on the cat, and since then, he talks. Her brother loves mice, probably because he accidentally conjures many of them. The cat cannot eat the mice, or Albert (the brother) will turn the cat into a dog. Igraine’s parents have magical singing books that help them with their spells.

Two important things happen at once to create the actual plot in the story. Firstly, a neighboring castle is conquered by an evil knight who wants the singing books. Secondly, while preparing her birthday present, Igraine’s parent’s perform a magical boo boo.

So, Igraine and Albert must fix everything. Albert holds the evil knight off with magic and Igraine goes on a knightly journey.

Potential topics of discussion

My kids ask me to pause stories a lot, because they have questions. The questions usually run the line of “could that really happen?” and “what does that word mean?” Igraine the Brave prompted several discussions with me and my children.

Knights

In the middle ages, boys of nobles, usually the second sons and such, went to train with knights, often at other castles. Boys would be pages as early as seven years old, and squires in their teens. (Some sources I’ve read say 11, 12, 13, and 14, so I’m just going with teens.) After training, a noble, king, or queen could dub the boy a knight at the age of 21.

–How would you like to leave your parents at seven and start training?

–The Spartans in ancient Greece left their moms at a similar age to begin their training as warriors. Why don’t we ship off our kids at this young age now?

–That’s a lot of training. Do you want to train for a long time to be really good at something?

–What’s chivalry? Do the ideas of chivalry presented in the book make sense? How would you change the definition?

Can kids really do that? Igraine is 12 in the story and she performs a lot of tasks normally reserved for grown ups. What tasks and jobs can kids do in our modern times to help their family and society?

Wouldn’t it be cool if?

This is where the magic talk comes in. Wouldn’t it be cool if our cat talked? What would he say? Do you think the dog loves me? If I could turn bad guys into fish, would I really do it?

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Priest to Mafia Don May Be a Best Seller!

I may have just read an upcoming best seller! Priest to Mafia Don by Father Patrick Bascio, published just recently, is a love story like no other! Caught between love for family, God, a woman, and his own destiny, Carlo Albanese was forced by heritage to make choices that have been faced by few others, if any. Priest to Mafia Don “is a work of fiction based on reality. It is the story of a priest, Carlo Albanese, nephew of the famous Godfather, Julio Albanese…”(p. 6)

As the life of Maria Amaretto’s mother faded away, Maria sought out some way to send her mother from her small Sicilian town of Trapani to either the United States or England for the surgery that could save her life. After contacting everybody she knew that could possibly provide funds for the trip, Maria finally went to see Don Luigi Navarro, the local Mafia chief, who also refused to help her. Frustrated and angered, Maria realized that it had been evil to turn to a murderer–that she had betrayed God by depending on a bad man and sought her Lord’s forgiveness.

Maria spent the next fourteen days in Novena prayers imploring the Blessed Mother for a cure. “On the morning of the fourteenth day, the doctors…announced: “Against the greatest odds and possibly miraculously, Philomena Amaretto is responding favorably…” The local priest declared, “A miracle…” In response to answered prayer, Maria made the traditional “Promise” to offer her first-born son to the Church. (p. 12) Thereafter, she went to Tony Albanese, who had loved her since their days in secondary school, and sought his support of her promise. His response was, “I would be honored to be betrothed to a woman who, God willing, shall one day provide His church with a priest.” (p. 13). Tony was Julio Albanese’s brother.

And so the male child, Carlo, was born and learned early that he had been dedicated to the priesthood. His entire childhood was centered on his future and he rejoiced in his destiny. On his First Communion, his parents “bought a Missal that opened in the middle, releasing a thin cardboard replica of an altar prepared for Mass…Before leaving for school, Carlo would say a “Mass.” (p. 21)

Totally committed to become a priest, yet, reading his story, there were signs, early in his life, that Carlo perhaps lacked the love and joy of being a servant to God and man.

Julio Albanese was chosen unanimously as the godfather upon the death of Vito Massaro. Newspapers suggested “he will bring a new and more progressive style to the organization.” (p. 35) Julio soon sought to have members of his family with him and so Tony moved his family to the United States. Thus Carlo grew with two major influences–his dedication to God and the priesthood and his commitment to his family.

And while Carlo grew, Julio became the most powerful Don in New York.

While Carlo studied and finally became a priest, Julio grew older and ill. In fact, he was forced to resign as Don due to his limited life expectancy. Carlo’s father was expected to move into Julio’s position as Don. He was murdered! Julio’s second brother became Don; he was murdered… In order to not give too much of this story away, I move to the point where Carlo as asked to take leave from the church and fill in as Don to get his family’s businesses back to top performance.

And that is when he discovered that his brother’s wife was seeking help to divorce his brother! And they became close…

Father Bascio includes an interesting little story in the Introduction about how this Sicilian organization was formed and named. Both Julio and Carlo dreamed of moving the Mafia back to its original goals and to legitimize the businesses of the Mafia. Carlo’s struggles within the Church, with his awakening sexuality and interest in his own brother’s wife, together with the cries of his family to help them during the crisis that followed Julio’s resignation placed tremendous pressure upon Carlo. And, that is why the book becomes a page-turner! For Carlo’s response resulted in a maturity of a man like no other…a man who finally left the priesthood to become Don of the Mafia!

Written as a novel, the author has allowed us to see into the hearts and the minds of the characters that were patterned after a real family. Watching the jealousy between family members, seeing the good and bad within them makes this an exciting read. However, I watched closely as Carlo struggled with the pain, the frustration, the anger, and, yes, the love he experienced as he matured and was forced to make the greatest decision in his life!

Surely Father Bascio has given us a best seller, at least in my opinion…it’s a MUST-READ!

Priest to Mafia Don By Father Patrick Bascio BrandenBooks ISBN: 10: 0-8283-2157-4 288 Pages

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Michael Webb Books Review

Michael Webb, known as the Most Romantic Man in the World, has written a lot of relationship books on everything from dating, proposals, through romance, to lovemaking. This article will review some of Michael Webb’s books.

500 Lovemaking Tips

This Michael Webb book deals with one of the most important aspect to marriage: lovemaking. What differentiates this book from other sex books is that it’s written specifically for long term couples. It contains nothing raunchy or overly depraved, and it can take a couple’s sex life to a new level.

Romantic’s Guide to Popping the Question

This Michael Webb book is a collection of widely creative and original marriage proposal ideas for men and women both. The guide is meant to provide inspiration for anyone who wishes to propose in an unforgettable way.

100 Sex Games

This book by Michael Webb is a collection of 100 sex games for couples. The games are for women and men who have been together for a while and wish to spice up their sex life. It’s the perfect companion to 500 Lovemaking Tips.

50 Secrets of Blissful Relationships

This is a relationship book for couples. It deals with every issue revolving around the best way to get along in a long term relationship and keep it fresh and exciting as it was in the beginning.

300 Creative Dates

300 Creative Date by Michael Webb is a collection of creative ideas of dating. If you’re looking for a way to wow the person you’re dating with ideas which aren’t expensive but widely entertaining, this book can give you some great ideas.

One thing I want to say about all the 5 books by Michael Webb which I reviewed here: they are all simple to read and apply. This isn’t some widely complicated formula or psychological breakdown of relationships. It’s just a rundown of ways to keep your romantic life a little more exciting, interesting, and happy.

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Michael Webb Books Review

Michael Webb, known as the Most Romantic Man in the World, has written a lot of relationship books on everything from dating, proposals, through romance, to lovemaking. This article will review some of Michael Webb’s books.

500 Lovemaking Tips

This Michael Webb book deals with one of the most important aspect to marriage: lovemaking. What differentiates this book from other sex books is that it’s written specifically for long term couples. It contains nothing raunchy or overly depraved, and it can take a couple’s sex life to a new level.

Romantic’s Guide to Popping the Question

This Michael Webb book is a collection of widely creative and original marriage proposal ideas for men and women both. The guide is meant to provide inspiration for anyone who wishes to propose in an unforgettable way.

100 Sex Games

This book by Michael Webb is a collection of 100 sex games for couples. The games are for women and men who have been together for a while and wish to spice up their sex life. It’s the perfect companion to 500 Lovemaking Tips.

50 Secrets of Blissful Relationships

This is a relationship book for couples. It deals with every issue revolving around the best way to get along in a long term relationship and keep it fresh and exciting as it was in the beginning.

300 Creative Dates

300 Creative Date by Michael Webb is a collection of creative ideas of dating. If you’re looking for a way to wow the person you’re dating with ideas which aren’t expensive but widely entertaining, this book can give you some great ideas.

One thing I want to say about all the 5 books by Michael Webb which I reviewed here: they are all simple to read and apply. This isn’t some widely complicated formula or psychological breakdown of relationships. It’s just a rundown of ways to keep your romantic life a little more exciting, interesting, and happy.

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"A Circle of Dreams" Author Annie Rogers: Book Review

A Circle of Dreams Annie Rogers

Bivens and Jensen Publishing (2006)

ISBN 0977018318

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (5/06)

It was such a pleasure to read this sequel to “A Dream Across Time.” The husband and wife writing team that composes Annie Rogers have done a wonderful job writing another paranormal romance. When I read the first book, I really felt like I was on the island of St. Lucia with these characters. In “A Circle of Dreams” I felt like I had returned to the island and was visiting close friends. The characters feel so real to you, that they do feel like they are alive.

The story returns to the island of St. Lucia where Jamie and Andre Demontagne now have three children. Each child has a special paranormal gift. The youngest child, Philippe was named after an ancestor who had been lost, as a child, during the French Revolution, two hundred years before. The ghost of his mother, Anne-Cecile Diamont confuses this child with the one that she lost. As Philippe is being pulled into the past, his family fights to save him. His sisters use their special gifts to try to keep him in the present.

The paranormal touches in the story keep it really interesting; however, there are also real present day issues such as the lagging romance between Jamie and Andre. As they deal with the crisis involving their child, they also have to deal with making their relationship work around their modern day lifestyles, such as both holding two busy careers and parenting. Their children are precocious and adorable. I laughed out loud at some of their exploits. The extended family and friends around them also add a great deal of richness to the novel. I missed them and was so glad that they were included in this story.

This second novel in the Demontagne Saga stands well on its own. I would recommend reading “A Dream Across Time” first, but it is not necessary, as the authors manage to catch you up on the story without having to go back. You really don’t want to miss out on either!

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The Flaw of Love by Lauren Grodstein

The flaw of love is the debut novel of an American author named Lauren Grodstein. The novel focuses on human relationships with an amazing touch of irony and wit to it. The story circles around the protagonist, Joel Miller’s introspection into his relationships with all the people in his life.

Joel is in the biggest quandary of his life – whether or not he wants to become a father. The girl in his life, Lisa is doing a pregnancy test and Joel realizes that the results could be anything. Waiting for the results of the test, Joel goes back into time analyzing his relationships with his parents, his best friend and the girl he loved the most, Blair. As his future is being decided behind a closed door, his thoughts are wandering in the past. He had a very tumultuous childhood as he saw a failed marriage of his parents. His father was one of the most complex yet nice person he had ever known and his mother a very unpredictable and eccentric lady. The relationship they shared not only affected his childhood but also scarred his entire life. He thinks about Blair, the girl he loved most dearly but could not hold on to because she was not the person looking for a commitment.   All these relationships had a marked effect on Joel’s life and also made him a person who is skeptical of commitment. This is the problem that gets him back to the present as he waited for Lisa to take the test and get some finality to his life. The manner in which Joel explores all these relationships is ironic, acerbic and also marked with a keen sense of observation.   This novel is one of the most original and gripping reads that I have come across recently. It is funny and also heart rendering. The characters build slowly but what evolves eventually is a highly involving tale that one cannot put down. All in all, a very nice and interesting read!

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The Flaw of Love by Lauren Grodstein

The flaw of love is the debut novel of an American author named Lauren Grodstein. The novel focuses on human relationships with an amazing touch of irony and wit to it. The story circles around the protagonist, Joel Miller’s introspection into his relationships with all the people in his life.

Joel is in the biggest quandary of his life – whether or not he wants to become a father. The girl in his life, Lisa is doing a pregnancy test and Joel realizes that the results could be anything. Waiting for the results of the test, Joel goes back into time analyzing his relationships with his parents, his best friend and the girl he loved the most, Blair. As his future is being decided behind a closed door, his thoughts are wandering in the past. He had a very tumultuous childhood as he saw a failed marriage of his parents. His father was one of the most complex yet nice person he had ever known and his mother a very unpredictable and eccentric lady. The relationship they shared not only affected his childhood but also scarred his entire life. He thinks about Blair, the girl he loved most dearly but could not hold on to because she was not the person looking for a commitment.   All these relationships had a marked effect on Joel’s life and also made him a person who is skeptical of commitment. This is the problem that gets him back to the present as he waited for Lisa to take the test and get some finality to his life. The manner in which Joel explores all these relationships is ironic, acerbic and also marked with a keen sense of observation.   This novel is one of the most original and gripping reads that I have come across recently. It is funny and also heart rendering. The characters build slowly but what evolves eventually is a highly involving tale that one cannot put down. All in all, a very nice and interesting read!

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The Magic of Making Up Review: A Guide

The Magic of Making up consists of a total of 8 chapters. Each chapter covers a stage of relationship that has been broken and the reasons why it did not work out in the first place. It also tells you how you can save the broken relationship and the feeling that you experience in the process. The book also gives the painful truth if your relationship is cannot be saved because after all, not all “meant-to -be’s” are actually meant to be. The book also gives you tips on how to move on from painful break-ups gracefully. However, if you feel in the bottom of your heart that you are really meant to be together, then The Magic of Making up provides you certain procedures you need to follow in order for you to achieve your goal which is to be with the person you love most and at the same time, the one who loves you the most. With that being said, still the author gave consideration to each and every different situation which we should be glad for.

The first two chapters cover the arguments as to why your once wonderful relationship suddenly ended. These first two chapters also will also advice you to be calm and not to panic after a break-up plus it will slowly make you realize the things you should consider in order for you to regain your trust in your ex. Chapter three will be most helpful to you as it helps you evaluate the things that went wrong that lead to the break-up and at the same time weigh the odds of your relationship whether if it still can be saved or it is really a big mistake. It is the most important chapter because you will learn a lot from it. You don’t want to be in the position of reuniting with your ex only to break-up again.

The next chapter is for those who figured out that there relationship actually can be saved. This is the most exciting chapter as it gives you steps on how to rekindle your passion for each other, also on how to reignite the spark that was once lost, and rediscover the desire that you have for each other. It will be like you are falling in love for the first time once again.

When the time finally comes that you and your ex are back in each other’s arms, The Magic of Making up will give you helpful tips on how to keep your relationship healthy and keep the fire burning between you and your new “old” loved one. In conclusion, the author, is right on the money in almost all of the chapters.

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Fantasy Book Review - Shadowmarch by Tad Williams

Fantasy author Tad Williams has summoned a culturally rich, diverse, and authentic world in his novel Shadowmarch, published by DAW Books, Inc. A hefty novel, at over 700 pages in mass market paperback, Shadowmarch opens with the promise of conflict between the people of the kingdom of Southmarch and the Qar, or fairy folk.

The Qar, which are a wonderfully varied group of strange beings ranging from human-like to grotesque monsters, occupy the northern portions of Eion above what is called the Shadow Line that marks the division between the normal world and the foggy and disorienting world of the Qar. Centuries earlier the Qar occupied the whole of Eion but were slowly driven north by expanding human populations. Southmarch occupies the land adjacent to the Shadow Line, and the mighty coastal stronghold also known as Southmarch stands upon a site once controlled by the Qar and still sacred to them.

Most of the fantasy novel centers on the ruling family of Southmarch, the Eddons. King Olin Eddon is held hostage by the kingdom of Hierosol, and his twin children, the brother and sister Barrick and Briony, rule as co-regents in his absence. Because Barrick is plagued by nightmares and melancholy, his sister Briony must shoulder the burdens of ruling as the gathering threat of a Qar invasion becomes more apparent.

Another major character is Qinnitan, who lives in the land mass south of Eion known as Xand. Here a vast empire is ruled by the God-like Autarch, who has inexplicably selected Qinnitan to be his wife. The Autarch has many wives who mostly live in a section of his sprawling palace and temple complex called the Seclusion. Xand is a land with Asian and Middle Eastern flavors as opposed to the European Medieval tone of Eion. Qinnitan is an interesting and sympathetic character who must navigate the intrigues and jealousies of life in the Seclusion. She is also being prepared for the Autarch by being repeatedly forced to drink a potion that seems to be connecting her to a God-like consciousness.

While the Eddons in Southmarch prepare to face the Qar invasion, they also hear hints of threats from the Autarch, whose God-like reach naturally wants to grasp Eion.

As Williams crafts his characters, he reveals their evolving emotions with skill. For example, as Briony is consumed by her role as co-regent, her paranoia increases as she learns to question the motivations of the nobles and courtiers around her. Her temper is also made increasingly fragile by the ceaseless demands on her attention. She never is able to deal with everything, but it is not her fault. Mounting threats pile up as Briony tries to cope among uncertain allies.

Her brother Barrick is of little help to her because his depression hinders his ability and willingness to function. He does distinguish himself however by riding forth with the forces of Southmarch to defend the kingdom.

The Qar make a difficult enemy to engage. A thick mist swirls around them, hiding their numbers, and some of their fighters are giants and strange beasts that can crush men and horses. They are led in battle by a stunning female warrior, Yasammez, also known as Lady Porcupine for the sharp spikes on her armor. Because the Qar are fighting to regain land that they had previously lost to the humans over centuries of brutal fighting, Yasammez possesses righteous vindictiveness. Despite her eagerness to be cruel to the humans, she is cunning in her strategy and patient. Personally, I would have preferred if the novel had given more space to Lady Porcupine. She is a fine villain and her presence could have replaced any of the countless scenes with Briony talking to people in Southmarch castle.

The majority of the novel takes place within Southmarch, which made it lacking in action. Politicking and plotting can be important aspects of fantasy epics, but Shadowmarch overdid it. I felt Briony’s boredom and frustration with court life more than was necessary. The endless holding of court at Southmarch is thankfully broken up by the characters of Ferras Vansen and Chert Blue Quartz. Vansen is a capable Guard Captain. His practical field experience often serves to counter the arrogance of the nobles that he serves. Vansen also harbors a crush on Princess Briony, but don’t expect any romance from this book. Maybe something will happen in this department in the next novel, but you’ll get no passionate kisses before battle in Shadowmarch.

Chert Blue Quartz is a Funderling, which is Williams’ take on the dwarf. They are skilled stone carvers and more comfortable in mines than rooftops. Williams excels at developing races. The Funderlings are likable and possess a detailed culture and mythology of their own. The Chert subplot concerns his adventures with a boy who mysteriously emerged from the Shadow Line. Unfortunately, the Chert story, although important, drags.

Williams’ talent as a writer is apparent in every line of his fantasy novel. Sparkling metaphors paint provoking word pictures and he thoughtfully tells vivid and illuminating back stories for his characters. Despite his masterful skill, I found Shadowmarch about 300 pages longer than it needed to be. Long strings of tedious scenes that added little to the story padded a novel that ached for more action. A decent fantasy plot was set up and begging to be set free, but everything seemed to be stalling for the next novel. Readers who require little in the way of actual adventure would be satisfied by Shadowmarch, but my taste tends to crave an equal measure of walk with talk. My rating for Shadowmarch is two swords and a walking stick out of a possible five swords.